A statement by Shrewsbury hospital pathologist Dr Burrows read by Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton said the cause of death was multiple injuries, including “significant” head injuries.

Toxicology tests found that neither she nor the other driver, Romanian Johan Kirpacs, 32, from Cardiff, who travelled each morning to Machynlleth to deliver the Big Issue, had taken any alcohol.

A statement by Miss Elfyn’s boyfriend Tom Hughes said she had texted him at 10.10am that morning to say she was leaving Ysgol Bro Ddyfi to attend an appointment at Aberystwyth at 11am. He texted her back a number of times later but without reply.

Both Tom and Miss Elfyn’s dad Elfyn described her as “a careful driver”.

Mr Brunton explained he had not summoned Mr Kirpacs because he lived in Cardiff, his blue Ford Galaxy car had been destroyed and there was nothing controversial in his statement.

Mr Kirpacs’s statement said: “The other woman came around the bend. She lost control. I tried to avoid her. I didn’t have enough time. She came straight into me.” He said the Seat had “turned around”.

Mr Kirpacs thought he was travelling at 40-45mph and skidded in a straight line before the crash.

He said: “When I pushed my brake, she came right into me.”

Police collision investigator Ian Pathak said “driver error” by Miss Elfyn could have contributed to the collision.

He said the severity of the impact had torn the engine from its mountings but he couldn’t say at what speed Miss Elfyn was travelling.

Mr Brunton said he himself travelled that way “every day of the week”.

In his conclusion, Mr Brunton said: “The motor car spun in an anti-clockwise direction before coming into contact with the Ford Galaxy. The speed was very fast.”

Mr Brunton estimated the Seat’s speed to have been around 50-55mph.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, Mr Brunton said: “Mrs Jones and your family – you have my profound sympathy. For those parents who have not lost their children, the pain is incomprehensible.”

Afterwards, Miss Elfyn’s uncle, Iwan Jones, said: “The family accepts that this was an accident with tragic and devastating consequences. We are still trying to come to terms with it and our focus is very much on helping Mared’s parents and her sister Heledd and brother Urien to try to come to terms and carry on without her.”